Is Your Furnace Ready for Another Polar Vortex?

Jan 5, 2016

A polar vortex occurs when very cold air from the North Pole sinks farther south and brings extreme cold temperatures with it. Last year, a polar vortex affected nearly 200 million people, including those in Deerfield, Illinois. Will your furnace be ready for another polar vortex? Learn what steps you can take to prepare your heating system for an Illinois winter.

Replace the Air Filters

Before you need to run your furnace, it’s a good idea to change your air filters so that you start the winter with clean filters. Dirty or clogged air filters restrict the flow of warm air. If this obstruction happens, not only will you get less warm air, you will also force the unit to work harder.

Check the Thermostat

Even if your furnace is working properly, you will have issues heating your house if your thermostat isn’t working. To make sure your thermostat is working correctly, turn the thermostat on and see how the furnace responds. The furnace should immediately start without any problems. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, now would be a good time to get one installed.

Make Sure Vents Are Clear

Throughout the year, you may buy new furniture or rearrange the furniture you have. Before you run your furnace, make sure that nothing is blocking the vents around your house. Blocked vents are useless because warm air can’t circulate in the room, and blocked vents can also cause your heating system to work harder and possibly overheat.

Oil the Furnace Blower

When considering how your heating system functions, the blower motor plays a major role. A professional should oil this part of your furnace once a year during a preventive maintenance visit for your HVAC system. When you start your system for the first time, be sure this part doesn’t make any unusual noises.

Before winter starts and another polar vortex makes temperatures plummet, call Carefree Comfort, Inc. at 847-388-0115 to have your furnace cleaned and serviced for optimal performance.